Tired of running on blacktop and sidewalks, especially as the summer sun beats down? I have an idea: try trail running.

Trail running is of course running, but it’s stepping into a different world, one where there’s often trees, rocks, branches and boulders to avoid and/or run over. It’s more engaged and, for me, more fun, and when it’s 95 degrees outside, I’d much rather play in the woods than run in a straight line on a road.

You don’t need a ton of different gear to try trails — I’ve been running on trails for five years and have very little specialized gear. But a few small things can make the road — or trail — easier going, and safer too. In collaboration with Wirecutter, a New York Times company that reviews and recommends products, here are five cheap(ish) things to get you started with trail running.

Water bottle

You probably won’t find water fountains or a store selling bottled water in the middle of the woods, so in the summer, I always carry water with me. This isn’t just because it’s hot, but a safety issue too: I’ve gotten lost on trail runs, and being lost without water is not an appealing prospect.

Sunscreen

Yes, a lot of trail running is done in the shade, but I’ve run many trail races where the course included open fields of full sun, and if you try mountain running that takes you above the tree line, that shade disappears. That’s why even with trail running, sunscreen is still a must.

First aid kit

Because if you run on trails long enough, you will fall. My kit is a very basic CVS one that’s about the size of a trade paperback book and fits under the passenger seat of my car. One thing to keep in mind: Make sure your kit has tweezers. Why? Ticks. If you’re bitten by one, you want to pull it out as soon as possible.

Trail running shoes

Why is this on the cheap(ish) list? Because I’m going to tell you that you do not need to go out and buy new shoes if you’re just trying out trails. Your road running shoes will do just fine. Some runners never buy trail-specific shoes.

My advice: Run in your regular shoes, and see if you feel like you need something trail specific, which happened to me after running on the Bent Creek Trail in the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina. The folks at Jus’ Running in Asheville, N.C., helped me pick out the perfect pair of trail running shoes.

Wirecutter recommends the Saucony Peregrine 7. Just remember that picking running shoes is a personal choice, so go with whatever works best for you.

Tall socks

Ankle-high socks may be flattering, but they won’t protect you from the branches and thorns that will reach out and try to grab your lower legs while you’re running on trails. I always wear socks that come above my ankles, often ones that come up to my calf or knee.

I wear a whole bunch of different brands, including Sock Guy, Swiftwick and CEP compression socks. My favorite pair is the not-quite-SFW pair, which are cycling socks from 8 Lumens. They’re a hit in trail races. It’s just that kind of crowd.

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A version of this article appears in print on , on Page A3 of the New York edition with the headline: Here to Help; 5 Cheap(ish) Things to Get You Started With Trail Running. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe